Todd Lorensen resigned his position as head men’s basketball coach and athletic director early this morning. Lorensen is expected to be announced later today as head men’s basketball coach for Buena Vista University in Storm Lake.
Lorensen, who came to Southwestern from Iowa Wesleyan in August 2014, will leave Southwestern on May 31. During his time at the college, Lorensen led the Southwestern Spartans men’s basketball team to their first national championship in March 2017 in Danville, IL. One year later, the Spartans became back-to-back NJCAA Region XI DII men’s basketball champions, earning a return trip to the national championship. They ended their 2017-18 run on March 24, with a third place national finish.
The Spartans came away from the 2017-18 basketball season with a record of 29-8 overall. They entered the NJCAA DII National Championship as the number 5 seed. They went on to win three of their four national championship games, losing only to Triton College of River Grove IL. Triton went on to become the 2018 national champions.
During his four-year tenure, Lorensen’s teams compiled an overall record of 113-25 (35-15 in ICCAC play), captured two regular season conference championships, and two post-season region XI championships. In addition, three players were named NJCAA All-American; his teams had numerous all-region selections; and received many academic all-region honorees.
Lorensen, a Monroe native, came to Southwestern from Iowa Wesleyan College in Mount Pleasant, where he had been the head men’s basketball coach and assistant sports information director.
Beth Kulow, Southwestern’s dean of student services, recognizes the huge strides the college’s men’s basketball program has made under the direction of Lorensen.
“Todd has been 100 percent dedicated to making Southwestern basketball one of the elite programs in NJCAA Division II basketball,” Kulow explained. “He has not only been a great coach, he has also gained community support and increased the fan base for the program.”
Kulow said the college is committed to continuing to build upon this momentum.
“Todd and I both want to see Spartan Nation continue to grow and prosper,” stated Kulow. “He may be leaving the program, but the impact he’s had on the program will be long-standing.”
Lorensen said it’s definitely a bittersweet day.
“First I want to thank [Southwestern] President Crittenden, Dean Kulow, and retired Athletic Director Bill Krejci for entrusting me to lead the athletic department and men’s basketball program at Southwestern,” remarked Lorensen. “I am excited for the next step in my journey, but also know I am moving on from a program, institution, and community in which I have loved being a part.”
Lorensen agreed his relationship with Southwestern will be long-standing.
“I have memories from my time here I will cherish forever,” explained Lorensen. “Thanks to everyone in Spartan Nation. I will miss you dearly.”
Kulow said the search for a new athletic director and men’s basketball coach will begin immediately.